My cousin survived brain cancer that had spread throughout her body.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

We thought she probably wouldn't make it but she's fine now. It sounds like everyone has written Teddy off - but it is survivable. My cousin's was worse than his because it had spread. She is a younger person (in her 60's, however).

[graywarrior]

1. Hey! Thanks for posting this

I met more than a few people who survived malignant brain tumors. It's not a death sentence.

[UndertheOcean]

Was it a glioma ?

[kerry-is-my-prez]

9. Here's something on it...

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2046721320080520

Say's they're hard to treat. I'm not sure if she had that type.

[babylonsister]

2. Thanks for throwing some positive reality into the mix, and I'm

happy for your cousin!

[AlinPA]

3. The media has Kennedy dead. I heard McCain say "we will miss him". He hasn't

even had treatment yet and they are burying him. Filthy media.

[stillcool]

7. yeah, what is up with that?

they buried him Saturday, and then nothing until today...when they're burying him again. I don't understand this at all. Arlen Spector had brain cancer, and they didn't he?

[SlipperySlope]

4. It is EXCEPTIONALLY rare for brain cancer to spread to the rest of the body.

Maybe she had another kind of cancer that spread to the brain. It practically never goes the other way.

[Winterblues]

5. I am glad for you and your cousin but I have known several that didn't survive.

In fact I have never known anyone that did survive. I am hoping for the best for Ted but the reality is I don't think he is going to be with us much longer. He has done a lot with his life and has lived to be quite old. None of us are going to get out of here alive..I just hope he doesn't suffer much..

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. I, too

know of folks who have survived brain cancer. A lot depends upon their attitude and willingness to fight.

[spinbaby]

8. A lot depends on what kind of cancer it is

It's not fair to blame death on a bad attitute.

[uppityperson]

10. Mine didn't. He was 50. It depends on the type.

Off to pull up some info and post a public service message on gliomas. Thanks for the idea

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. In general Glioma is the most aggressive type of brain cancer

and the most difficult to treat

The Prognosis is not bright....

Damn medical background and yes I was screaming at NPR today

[LeftyMom]

12. My neighbor had a seizure, they found a tumor, and he was dead in two months.

And he was a very young guy, only in his thirties. He was a big strong healthy guy (though he did smoke) and went from apparently perfect health to being dead in two months.

It depends on the kind of cancer, where it is, how established it is, a lot of factors. People have a tendency to hope, even when the odds are bad. From the sound of people in the know (did you hear Senator Byrd today?) it seems apparent that those who have heard the prognosis are getting ready to let go, and perhaps expecting that it won't be a long wait.